Culture Night in Castalia Hall

ACCLAIMED composer and musician Sam Jackson will perform from his debut album at Castalia Hall in Callan as part of the Culture Night celebrations.

ACCLAIMED composer and musician Sam Jackson will perform from his debut album at Castalia Hall in Callan as part of the Culture Night celebrations.

The prize-winning composer and producer of original music for film, TV and theatre who has received critical acclaim for his work with Druid Theatre, the Abbey Theatre and Moya Brennan of Clannad, will be releasing his debut album Sharp & Flat on September 14, followed by a national tour. Sharp & Flat is a unique, accessible and absorbing blend of jazz and classical styles, full of Sam’s deeply expressive piano playing and accompanied by a varied ensemble of crossover musicians and sounds. The album was mixed by the legendary Jan Erik Kongshaug who has worked with some of the greatest jazz and contemporary artists of our time (Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea) and mastered by Grammy award-nominee Jonathan Wyner (David Bowie, Miles Davis.) Recorded in top class studios in Europe, the US and New Zealand - along with family flats and a tree house in Kilkenny, Sam recorded five different pianos and a vintage Fender Rhodes keyboard together with featured sounds from around the world including a peanut seller in Fiji.

On Sharp & Flat, Sam worked with celebrated musicians from diverse musical traditions. Drums are provided by Dubliner Shane O’Donovan (known for his work with jazz-rock band Isotope) and Reece McNaughten from New Zealand (who works with Family Cactus). Joining the mix are some of the finest strings players in the country - violin and viola from Ken Rice (who has worked with the Irish Chamber Orchestra, Van Morrison and Bell X1), Tara-Lee Byrne of the National Symphony Orchestra on cello and Neil O’Loghlen (of contemporary trad group Ensemble Ériu) on double bass.

Sam Jackson’s music has been featured in productions all over the world from Broadway to Tokyo and from the Abbey to the Aran Islands. Seven years as keyboardist to Moya Brennan of Clannad saw him work with the very best musicians across the globe. He has been composing for some of the biggest names in theatre for over a decade, and his music has featured in some of Ireland’s largest and most lauded productions, including DruidSynge and the current DruidMurphy.

During the tour Sam will be joined by Shane O’Donovan on drums, Dave Mooney on double bass plus other special guests. The gigs will be an exciting and moving music performance blending jazz, classical and traditional styles with projections and sounds.

The performance will take place on September 21 at 8pm at Ballytobin, Callan and admission is free as part of Culture Night.

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